Material Testing Blog (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 types of material testing? ›

Materials testing breaks down into five major categories: mechanical testing; testing for thermal properties; testing for electrical properties; testing for resistance to corrosion, radiation, and biological deterioration; and nondestructive testing.

The two major classifications of material testing include the Compression Test and the Tensile Test. However, their importance largely depends on the type of building material to be tested. While the Compression Test is more important for testing Concrete, Bricks, and Timber, Tensile tests are important for Steel.

Material testing can help prevent failures that might require costly repairs or replacements. Determining Material Properties – Testing helps in understanding the physical and mechanical properties of a material, such as strength, elasticity, ductility, hardness, and fatigue limit.

The key principle of materials testing is mechanical loading of a specimen or material up to a certain deformation or to break. The material properties which come as a result of this are shown through material characteristics.

With that said, there are two main categories of material testing: field testing and lab testing. All tests are guided by ASTM standards. The following information is a summary of common field and lab tests in construction. Please be sure to follow specific testing protocols for the material you need to test.

Regardless of whether the test is performed in compression or tension, a resulting curve can be analysed to obtain the following typical fundamental parameters: Strain rate, Moduli (Young's, tangent, chord, secant), Resilience, Yield stress, Strain to yield, x% proof stress, Maximum stress, Strain at maximum stress, ...

Materials testing is a popular and well known field of measurement to obtain physical and mechanical properties of materials from powders or raw materials, components and composite finished products.

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is a nonprofit organization in which producers, users, consumers, and representatives of government and academia develop voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM has 30,000 individual and organizational members worldwide.

What is the biggest reason testing is done on construction materials? ›

Construction material testing is a critical part of the engineering and construction process. By ensuring that the materials used in a construction project are of the highest quality, engineers can minimize the chances of a faulty project and ensure that the finished product is safe and reliable.

These tests evaluate crucial factors such as strength, density, chemical composition, and heat resistance. By analyzing these aspects, they can determine whether the materials are suitable for specific construction applications.

Material testing involves measuring the characteristics and behavior of substances like metals under various conditions. This data is used to determine suitability for applications and prevent failure.

Ensuring that construction materials possess the required strength and durability is critical to preventing structural failures, which can lead to accidents, injuries, and even loss of life. By conducting material testing, construction companies can have confidence in the safety of their projects.

Type 5: Wood-framed

Unlike the lumber in Type 4 buildings, Type 5 structures use lightweight or manufactured wood. While this material is inexpensive, efficient and structurally sound, it is not fire-resistant and these buildings can collapse minutes after a fire starts.

Objective items include multiple-choice, true-false, matching and completion, while subjective items include short-answer essay, extended-response essay, problem solving and performance test items.

There are three common test types: written tests, oral tests, and physical skills tests. Let's look at the kinds of things you'll be expected to complete in each test type.